Atiu Creek MTB Trails

North Auckland, New Zealand

The farm was gifted to the ARC by Jackie and Pierre Chatelanat who wanted to ensure that all New Zealanders could enjoy access to the Kaipara Harbour and that the cultural and heritage values of the area would be protected in perpetuity. In 2004, the Chatelanats placed a QE II Open Space covenant on Atiu Creek Farm.

Atiu Creek became a Regional Park on July 1, 2006. The ARC will develop the park as a countryside Regional Park, managed and operated on the principles of protection, preservation and enhancement of its natural and cultural values. This park was officially opened to the public on Saturday 5 April 2008.

And in 2011 mountain biking respresentatives were invited to participate in the establishment of mountain bike trails through the park.  A few walk arounds and draft plans have happened already, so we will keep a keen eye out on the progress and let you know as soon as you can expect a decent ride out there.  Meanwhile, you are always welcome to visit and ride around the park as much as you can and enjoy the great views.  If you wish to lend a hand in the efforts here, then drop us a line and we'll add you to our volunteer communications loop (Virgil calls it the VCL).

Details below courtesy of the Auckland Council website.

History

The cultural and historical assets of Atiu Creek are equally impressive.

There are 17 known historic places on the farm plus a canoe portage area and an abandoned nineteenth-century oyster farm adjacent to the site.

The tangata whenua are Te Uri o Hau. There are numerous pa sites, including the extensive ridge pa which defended the strategic Opou Portage. The early European presence in the area is marked by the remnants of a nineteenth-century settler camp.

Native bush

The park enjoys extensive harbour frontage and has large tracts of native forest supporting a range of flora and fauna. In addition to 450 ha of easy, rolling grassed land, the property contains a number of significant areas of native forest and wetlands in the gullies.

It provides significant habitats for the three nationally threatened bird species: the NZ dabchick, brown teal, and the North Island brown kiwi.

Forest types present on Atiu Creek include regenerating kanuka forest and scrubland, mature pohutukawa coastal forest, kauri forest on the ridges, and totara forest with broadleaved forest in the gullies.

On the prominent Kauri Point there are sequences of totara forest on ridges to coastal pohutukawa-puriri forest to mangroves in the estuary. The park has intact areas of coastal forest which are now rare nationally

Park opening hours

Pedestrian access: Open 24 hours

Gate opening hours

Daylight savings (summer):
6:00am - 9:00pm
Non daylight savings (winter):
6:00am - 7:00pm

Atiu Cottage

Atiu Cottage is one of twin concrete bungalow units set in rolling pasture on Atiu Creek Regional Park. It is an ideal place for long walks and mountain bike rides with native forest, wetlands and endless panoramic harbour views.

Bach
Bookable: Yes
Directions: Located on the eastern side of the park looking towards Takahe Creek. From the Run Road turn off, follow Run Road for 5km. At the bach entrance driveway there is a park sign "Atiu Creek Regional Park entrance 600 metres". Turn right at this sign into the driveway. Go through the single white painted gate. Follow the metal farm road for 1km and the bach is on the right. Note: Sign posted "Atiu Cottage". The bach is the right (southern) hand one of the two bach units. Turn off the metal farm road and park on the metal in front of the garage to the right of the bach.
Availability: All year.

Costs: see http://www.arc.govt.nz/parks/our-parks/parks-in-the-region/atiu-creek/ for up to date costs.

• Mid week peak: $128.00
• Mid week off peak: $85.00
• Weekend and public holidays:  $128.00

Peak = October to May / All weekends (Friday and Saturday nights) / Public holidays

Off peak = June to September weekdays only

Max persons: 8
Max stay (peak): 7 nights

Max stay (off peak): 14 nights

Comments:
The house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen with seperate dining room, large lower level lounge with deck. All facilities are up to date and modern. There is a mown grass area in front of the bach.
Bedrooms: Three bedrooms. Two with queen beds and one with two sets of bunks
Bathrooms: Main bathroom has seperate toilet, bath and hand basin. Second bathroom has combined shower, toilet and hand basin.
Kitchen: Fridge/freezer, stove and toaster, jug, cooking utensils, crockery, pots, pans and cutlery provided.
Power supply: Standard domestic power supply
Water: Dam supply, potable water.
Heating: Two electric oil column heaters provided, Kent log fire in the dining room, bach users must supply firewood.
Rubbish: Atiu Creek Farm Cottage has a bin, please use the rubbish bags provided and place rubbish bags in the green wheelie bin outside the bach.
You need to supply: Bed linen, blankets, duvets, sleeping bags, additional pillows, towels, tea towels, food, personal items etc.
Contact:
For more information please contact the Auckland Council on 09 366 2000 or [email protected]
Before you go:
Please read our advice for planning and enjoying your time in regional parks.
Security:
Theft from vehicles is not common but unfortunately can happen. You should take the same reasonable precautions you take when parking at other locations and remember to lock your vehicle and take your valuables with you.

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Takahe Cottage

Takahe Cottage is one of twin concrete bungalow units set in rolling pasture on Atiu Creek Regional Park. It is an ideal place for long walks and mountain bike rides with native forest, wetlands and endless panoramic harbour views. Note: This bach has bunk type accommodation and is furnished more simply than the standard bach, and charged out at the standard bach rate.

Bach
Bookable:
Yes
Directions:
From the Run Road turn off, follow Run Road for approx: 5kms. There is a park sign on the right. “Atiu Creek Regional Park entrance 600 metres”. Turn right at this sign into the bach entrance drive way. Go through the single white painted gate. Note: There is a sign on the gate “Authorised access only”. Follow the metal farm road for 1 km and the bach is on the right. Note: Sign posted “Takahe Cottage”. The bach is the left (Northern) hand one of the two bach units. Turn off the metal farm road and park on the metal in front of the garage to the left of the bach.
Availability:
All year

Costs:
Mid week
peak Mid week
off peak Weekend and
public holidays
Public cost per night $128.00 $85.00 $128.00
Peak:

October to May
All weekends (Friday and Saturday nights)
Public holidays

Off peak:

June to September weekdays only

Max persons:
11
Max stay (peak):
7 nights
Arrival time 2:00 p.m. - Departure time 10:00
Max stay (off peak):
14 nights

Comments:
The house has three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room and a good size lounge with patio. All facilities are up to date and modern. There is a mown grass area off the patio at the back of the bach overlooking the Takahe Creek.
Bedrooms: Three bedrooms. Two rooms with two single beds and a bunk room with three sets of bunks.
Bathrooms: One with toilet only, one with toilet, shower and hand basin and one with a bath with overhead shower hand basin.
Kitchen: Fridge/freezer, stove and toaster, jug, cooking utensils, crockery, pots, pans and cutlery provided.
Power supply: Standard domestic power supply.
Water: Dam supply, potable water.
Heating: Two electric oil column heaters provided, Kent log fire in the dining room, bach users must supply firewood.
Rubbish: Takahe Cottage has a bin, please use the rubbish bags provided and place rubbish bags in the green wheelie bin outside the bach.
You need to supply: Bed linen, blankets, duvets, sleeping bags, additional pillows, towels, tea towels, food, personal items etc.
Contact:
For more information please contact the Auckland Council on 09 366 2000 or [email protected]
Before you go:
Please read our advice for planning and enjoying your time in regional parks.
Security:
Theft from vehicles is not common but unfortunately can happen. You should take the same reasonable precautions you take when parking at other locations and remember to lock your vehicle and take your valuables with you.

How to get to Atiu Creek

Journey north on State Highway 1 to Wellsford. Turn left at the Caltex station and service centre onto Port Albert Road. Follow the signs to the park. The property lies on the Kaipara Harbour, on the Okahukura (Tapora) Peninsula. Please note there is no vehicle access beyond the main car park to Solomon's Bay. Please refer to the park map for walking or mountain bike details on distance, direction and time.

Distance from Auckland CBD: 113 km

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